The Public Safety and Emergency Response program provides leadership for the delivery of the Ministry's emergency management program for the protection of people and property affected by forest fires, flood, drought, erosion, soil/bedrock instability, and crude and natural gas exploration including natural gas and hydrocarbon underground storage, salt solution mining emergencies and other provincially significant emergencies where assistance is requested.

The program also has responsibility for the planning and provision, directly or indirectly, of non-scheduled air transportation for the Government of Ontario.